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The Don Reno Banjo Workshop

By Jason Skinner

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Single String Picking

 

When most people think of Reno style they immediately think “single string” picking.

Single string playing is a very important part of the Reno style but is only a small part of it.  Actually Don didn’t begin recording a lot of single string stuff until the very late fifties or early sixties.  If you have the Reno and Smiley Box-set you’ll see what I mean.  There wasn’t any single string picking on it that I can remember and it was some of his best stuff ever.

 

Single string picking is using your thumb and first finger to pick notes out as you would when flat picking a guitar.  Again Don adapted it from his guitar playing.  Single string is difficult but it can bring a welcome break to the constant rolling in Scruggs style picking.  It is always done T-I-T-I-T-I.  “T” being thumb and “I” being the index also called the first finger.  It is a simulation of the up and down strokes of the flat pick on the guitar.  Contrary to popular belief Don did not pick up with his thumb pick.

   

Reno tried to develop patterns that where in “closed” positions.  This means that the licks or patterns avoided open strings so that he could play them at any place on the neck.  This is one of the secrets to playing without a capo.  Reno’s single string “bag of licks” are endless so we’ll only cover a few of his most popular licks. 

 

 

The “D” Position Lick

 

This is a very versatile lick built out of the “D” position.  It can be moved to any position on the neck.  Here are a few different variations.  Listen to Follow The Leader, Everglades, I Ain’t Gonna Walk Your Dog No More, and the later version of Limehouse Blues on Rural Rhythm label for these versions.  Don did these licks and other versions of it in many other tunes as well.

 

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Click here for direct link to sound file

 

Click here for direct link to sound file

 

 

The “F’ position lick

 

Another lick used a lot by Don.  Of course it is played out of the “F” position and can also be played any where on the neck.  Check out later Reno versions of Follow The Leader and many others for these classic licks.

 

Click here for direct link to sound file

 

Click here for direct link to sound file

 

  Click here for direct link to sound file

 

Classic Single String Licks

 

Here are some classic Reno licks that he used throughout his playing.  These can be heard on just about any Don Reno album.  Some are simple but some are not as easy as you think.

 

 

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Click here for direct link to sound file

 

Click here for direct link to sound file

 

Click here for direct link to sound file

 

Click here for direct link to sound file

 

 

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If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please contact Jason directly at

renoman22@hotmail.com

 

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